Accounting at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago's accounting graduates earn $69,965 one year out, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Illinois accounting programs—impressive positioning that nearly matches elite state competitors like Illinois Wesleyan while maintaining manageable debt levels. With first-year earnings 30% above the national median and 27% above the state median, this program delivers substantially more earning power than typical accounting degrees.

The financial picture looks particularly strong when you consider the debt load. At $22,125, it's below both the state and national medians for accounting programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32—meaning graduates earn more than three times their debt in the first year alone. Earnings continue climbing to $82,642 by year four, though this 18% growth rate is solid rather than exceptional. The moderate sample size of 30-100 graduates provides reasonable confidence in these figures.

The real value here is geographic arbitrage: Loyola combines an 81% acceptance rate with near-elite earnings outcomes. Your child can avoid the ultra-competitive admissions at UIUC while still landing in Chicago's robust accounting job market with only slightly lower earnings. For families prioritizing both admission certainty and strong financial returns, this program hits an unusually favorable sweet spot.